Come visit with your students and experience the history
and nature we have at the Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary
and Victorian Garden. The museum occupies a landmarked
1890s house and garden in Flushing, making the museum
an engaging educational setting for your students.
Our programs feature hands-on activities that enrich this
educational experience. For example, we have a working
honeybee hive in the garden that students visit during
our “Who is Afraid of Honey Bees?” program.
Our programs also meet New York State Learning Standards
and New York City Performance Standards.
Developed for Grades K-6. Programs can be adapted for
audiences with special needs.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
$95 per class (material fee included). Class size is limited
to 30 students.
Programs include an outdoor component, please dress accordingly.
School bus parking is available in front of the museum
on 38th Avenue.
Advance payment is required. No refunds for cancellations
less than five days before the program.
Please call (718) 359-6227 or email Urte Schaedle at uschaedle@nyc.rr.com
to make a reservation.
Miniature glass gardens were first introduced by Dr. Nathaniel
Ward in 1827. After a brief introduction to the history
and concept of terrariums, participants will learn about
nature's water cycle and construct their own terrarium
to take home.
Birds, Our Feathered Friends!
From bird anatomy to habitats, nests, and bird feeders,
this hands-on program will present many fascinating facts
about our winged friends. Participants construct a bird
feeder to take home.
From Caterpillar to Butterfly!
Let's discover the amazing cycle of tiny worm-like caterpillars
transformed into colorful butterflies and how these amazing
insects sustain themselves. Take home a "stained
glass" butterfly paper project to hang at your window.
Who is Afraid of Honey Bees?
Students will discover the life and activities of honey
bees and learn to differentiate between honey bees, wasps,
and hornets. The instructor will show an actual working
hive and participants will have a chance to sample a taste
of honey.
Plants We Eat
Carrots, French fries, popcorn, grapes, lettuce! Do you
know where all these delicious foods come from? Find out
facts about plants, pollination, seeds and fruits. Participants
will start a plant from seed to take home.
For many years, Louis Comfort Tiffany’s factory,
the Tiffany Glass Furnaces in Corona, Queens, designed
and produced lamps, windows, and other fine glass products.
Many of Tiffany’s designs were based on insects,
flowers, trees, and other natural motifs. Participants
will learn about Tiffany’s role in Queens history
during a tour of the museum’s house and Victorian
garden. Everyone will draw inspiration from their surroundings
to create their own “Tiffany window” using
colored cellophane.
Teacher and Student Feedback
The children loved it. It was wonderful!
— Ms. Zaimi from St. Demetrios School
Thank you so much for teaching us. We all had a lot of
fun.
— Kari from PS 184
It was our best trip this year! It was so much fun being
with you.
– Class 2-205 from P.S. 84